A Hat Full of Sky is one of several books in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series.This fantasy novel is also one of the books Pratchett wrote for young adults.
As Tiffany Aching leaves the farm she calls home to learn witchcraft under the dual-bodied Miss Level, an ancient threat is attracted to her immense power. Can the blue-skinned, red-haired, battle-loving Nac Mac Feagles save the hag (their term for witch) of the hills before she is consumed by the immortal threat?
The Nac Mac Feagles provide the book with unique, destructive characters that love to fight and steal, ‘and will in fact steal anything that is not nailed down.’ Their names also provide slight humor. Examples of these are ‘Rob Anybody’ and ‘Awf’ly Wee Billy’. A notable line from A Hat Full of Sky is ‘The world is your shrimp’. This line is said by Mistress Weatherwax, who remembers the first part of the catchphrase but not the name of the small aquatic creature that people eat.
Until one of the later chapters, this book appears to be a classic good vs evil. However, the reveal of the Hiver’s motives destroys this assumption. For example, would you call a predator evil for hunting to survive or a creature evil for attacking to defend itself when feeling threatened or wounded?
A Hat Full of Sky takes place in the countryside of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. With the setting being a fictional world, it is impossible to tell if it is set in the past, present or future. However, the lack of cars or technology suggests it may be inspired by our past.
Are you 13-years old or above? Are you searching for your next fantasy novel? If so, this could be the book for you!